Closure means



A. G. ROTH CLOSURE MEANS Dec. 16, 1941.

Filed Oct. 20, 1958 INVENTOR. /6/0/77 G. @offi ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE V I cLOsifz lzi EANs I l I Adam G. ROth, Mineola, N. Y. Application October 20, 1938, Serial N0. 236,021 Claims. (Cl. 215-47) contamination of the contents thereof.

The term container, as here used, is intended for broad interpretation, and includes self-contained machine housings, water tight floats, airplane wings, and other structures and elements too numerous to mention here.

Another object is to provide a closure which may be readily assembled upon or removed from a container without the use of tools or other implements.

Another objectis to provide a closure which is adapted for repeated use and hence of long life.

Another object is to provid a closure which is sanitary, or in other words, which may be cleaned or washed in a simple manner.

Another object is to provide a closure molded from resilient material and having sealing portions adapted to be deformed by contact with a container to thereby induce sufilcient pressure to effect an air tight seal.

Another object is to provide a closure of the type above referred to which is formed of a substance which is impervious to acids, etc.

Other objects relate to the formation of an elastic closure for effectively closing and sealing a container, and embodying means for preventing accumulations of dust, dirt, etc.,. in the region of the container opening. 2

With the above and other end in view the invention is more fully disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a section of a closure;

Fig. 2 is a section illustrating the closure applied to a container;

Figs. 3 and 4, Figs. 5 and 6, Figs. 7 and 8; Figs. 9 and 10, Figs. 11 and 12, Figs. 13 and 14,' Figs.

15 and 16, and Figs. 17 and 18 are section illustrating modifications or structural variations of closures embodying the principle of that shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a closure embodying a cup shaped stamping I having an inwardly directed flange 2. Vulcanized or surface-bonded to the flange 2 are two opposed sealing lips 3 and 4, formed of rubber or material having resilient characteristics similar to rubber.

their outer ends have an internal diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter at the zone of union of the two lips. The larger The sealing lips 3 and 4 are annular in shape and the upper lip l2 prevents internal diameter of the lips 3 and 4 substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of the container 5 and the lips 3 and 4 are stretched, therefore, when placed upon the container.

' When assembled on the container, as shown in Fig. 2, stretching of the sealing lips induces sumcient pressure to effect a seal. The upper lip 3 prevents the escape of the contents of the container 5, and the lower lip prevents the entrance of air or foreign matters to the container.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a closure adapted to be inserted within the container. It comprises a cup shaped stamping III with an outwardly directed flange ll. Resilient sealing lips l2 and I3, formed of rubber or material similar to rubber, are surface-bonded to the flange II. The sealing lips are annular in shape, are oppositely directed, and are flared whereby they are placed in compression by insertion within the container l4. When so inserted, the lower lip I3 prevents the escape of the contents of the container, and the entrance of air or other foreign matter.

Secured to the stamping I0 i an inverted cup i5 which covers the endof the container l4, to prevent the accumulation of dust or dirt on the open end of the container.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a closure composed entirely of elastic material and comprises a crowned disc 20 with an integral tapered sealing lip 2|. The sealing lip 2! is deformed when assembled upon the container 22 and such deformation induces suiiicient pressure to effect a seal. As indicated by the broken lines 23, the crowned disc 20 may be deflected to eliminate the presence of air above the contents of the container, in cases where the presence of air might result in deterioration of the contents.

The yieldable crowned disc 20 also has the advantage that it permits expansion or contraction of the contents of the container without damage to the container. It i especially useful, therefore, in cases where the containers are placed in steamers or cookers for heating or cooking the contents of the container.

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a closure composed of a crowned disc having an integral flared sealing lip 3| which is compressed by insertion in the end of the container 32. Integral with the closure is a flange 33 adapted to engage and cover the end of the container 32. The flange 33 functions to locate the closure in the container, and also prevents the accumulation of dust or dirt thereon.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a closure composed entirely of elastic material comprising a disc;

having an annular formation 4| integral therewith and supporting two oppositely directed annular sealing lips 42 and 43. The lips 42 and 43 are tapered whereby they are deformed by contact with the outer surface of the container 44, and the pressure induced by such deformation effects a seal. The upper lip 42 prevents escape of the contents of the container, and the lower lip 43 prevents the entrance of air or foreign materials.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate a closure formed entirely of elastic material and adapted to seal by contact with the inner surface of the container. It comprises a disc 58 having an integral annular formation reinforced by radial webs 52,

and having a portion 53 adapted to overlie the open end of the container 54. The portion 53 is supported by radial webs 53a. The periphery of the disc 50 has two integral sealing lips 55 and 56, annular in shape, and oppositely disposed. The lips 55 and 58 are formed whereby they are compressed by insertion within the container 54 and the pressure induced by compressing the same causes an effective seal. The lower lip 58 prevents the escape of the contents of the container, and the upper lip prevents the entrance of air into the container. The portion 53, which overlies the end of the container, serves as a positioning means for the closure, and also prevents the accumulation of dust, etc., on the end of the container. Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate a closure formed entirely of resilient material and adapted to seal by contact with the outside of a container.. It comprises a cup-like body 80 with two integral oppositely disposed, tapered annular sealing lips BI and 62 disposed therein. The sealing lips are oppositely tapered and are supported by reinforcing webs 83. When placed over the endof the container 84 the lips 6| and 82 are deformed or expanded, and the pressure thus induced effects a seal.

In the case of an expanding liquid in the container 64 the excess volume may escape from the container, but is trapped in the closure by the lip 62. In case air or liquid should pass the sealing lip 82, it will be trapped in the closure and prevented from contacting the contents thereof by the sealing lip 8|.

Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate a-closure formed entirely of elastic material. It comprises a disc 18 with a 'flared sealing lip 'Il adapted .to contact the inner surface of the container 12, and having integral reinforcing webs 13 tending to prevent compression'of the lip H. The lip H is annular and is slightly compressed by insertion within the container. Surrounding the lip H is an annular sealing lip 14, adapted to engage the outside surface of the container 12. The sealing lip H prevents the escape of liquid contents from the container 12, and the sealing lip I4 prevents the entrance of air or foreign matters.

Figs. 17 and 18 illustrate a double-lip closure moulded entirely of resilient material and adapted to seal by contact with the inner surface of a container. It comprises a wall 88 having an integral annular formation 8| reinforced by radial webs 82. Disposed externally of the annular formation 8| are two annular sealing lips 83 and 84. The sealing lips 83 and 84 are oppositely tapered, are disposed in spaced relation with their larger ends adjacent each other, and are reinforced by webs 85 which extend outwardly from'the annular formation 8|.

When inserted within the container 88 the lips 83 and 84 are compressed and effect a seal by the pressur induced by such compression.

The closure also has a flange 81 which contacts the upper end of the container, to locate the closure with respect to the container, and to prevent the accumulation of dirt, etc., on the mouth of the container. Being of resilient material, the flange 81 also protects the end of the container from damage.

In this form, escaping or entering liquids are trapped between the two sealing lips 83 and 84.

The different forms of closures above described are all formed of elastic material, such as, for example, rubber. Artificial rubber is available upon the market, which is impervious to acids,

etc., and it is contemplated that in cases where.

sealing is desired in conjunction with containers for acids etc., the closures will be formed of such artificial rubber.

It becomes apparent from the foregoing that the several embodiments of the closure are characterized by the ease with which they may be applied to or removed from a container. Although several embodiments are disclosed, it will be understood that various other changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appenoded claims, and such changes are contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. A closure for acontainer, said closure being formed of elastic material and comprising an annular formation closed by an integral transverse wall, a pair of annular sealing lips integrally connected at their outer ends to respective ends of the annular formation and having axially extended free portions extending from said ends toward each other in radially spacedrelation to the annular formation, said axially extended free portions having their adjacent ends spaced apart, and radially extending reinforcing webs extending between said annular formation and the free portions of said sealing lips.

2. A closure for a container, said closure being formed of elastic material and comprising an annular formation closed by an integral transverse wall, a pair of annular sealing lips integrally connected at their outer ends to respective ends of said annular formation and having axially extended free portions extending toward each other and spaced radially outwardly from the annular formation, the adjacent ends of said free portions being spaced apart, and reinforcing webs extending radially outwardly from the annular formation to the free portions of said sealing lips.

3. A closure for a container, said closure being formed of elastic material and comprising an annular formation closed by a transverse wall integrally connected to one end thereof, reinforcing webs integral with said wall and extending to the other end of saidannular formation, a pair of annular sealing lips integrally connected having axially extended free portions extending from said ends toward each other in radially spaced relation to the annular formation, said axially extended free portions having their adjacent ends spaced apart, and radially extending reinforcing webs extending between said annular formation and the free portions of said sealing lips.

4. A closure for a container, said closure being formed of elastic material and comprising an annular formation closed by a transverse wall integrally connected to one end thereof, reinforcing webs integral with said wall and extending to the other end of said annular formation, a pair of annular sealing lips integrally connected at their outer ends to respective ends of said annular formation and having axially extended free portions extending toward each other and spaced radially outwardly from the annular formation, the adjacent ends of said free portions being spaced apart, and reinforcing webs extending radially outwardly from the annular formation to the free portions of said sealing lips.

5. A closure for a container, said closure being formed of elastic material and comprising an annular formation closed by an integral transverse wall, a pair of annular sealing lips integrally 

